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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.